Suspect still at large in Timmins after armed standoff in Canadian Tire

WATCH ABOVE: Eerie quiet in Timmins during armed standoff with man barricaded in Canadian Tire

Police say a man who was armed with at least one long-gun inside a Canadian Tire store in Timmins, Ont. on Wednesday, appeared to have escaped before a perimeter could be put in place.

Timmins Police said on Facebook that OPP officers used police dogs to search the building but no suspects were located, adding that it was likely the suspect fled the scene in the early stages of the investigation.

As of 10:21 p.m., the perimeter had been lifted and police said they believe the suspect was no longer within the area, but were still advising the public to take precautions.

Timmins Police have now taken over the investigation and anyone with information on the incident, or who witnessed any suspicious activity in the area, is asked to contact them.

Timmins Police Insp. Mike McGinn had said the store’s alarm went off around 4 a.m. Wednesday and employees found an intruder in the building when they arrived.

The employees left and called police, who arrived within minutes, McGinn said.

“The target of the break-in was firearms and there are firearms that have been removed,” McGinn said.

“Anything that would be within line of sight of a high-powered weapon we have evacuated.”

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Several other stores and nearby roads were shut down as Ontario Provincial Police set up a perimeter and took control of the scene.

McGinn said investigators security video showed the man was armed with a “long-gun,” but police had not identified him.

Police told Global News they are aware of reported sightings in the area of Clyde Marshall and Sabrina Chouart, who are wanted on a murder warrant in Toronto in connection with the death of Sina Parsi, but could not confirm any other details.

“They’re not really confirming or denying that, they’re saying although there’s nothing so far connecting it – they’re not ruling it out,” said Taylor Ablett, a news reporter with the Moose FM radio station in Timmins.

Police declared the standoff over late Wednesday evening but no suspect was found.

A section of highway had been reopened at about 8:30 p.m. after not being deemed a threat to public safety and police added on Facebook that no one had been injured in the incident.

The Timmins’ Canadian Tire sells hunting rifles, shotguns, and ammunition, according to the local Timmins Press.

“They do believe that the suspect is within their perimeter somewhere, although they’re not exactly saying where. They’re not giving any identity, if they know they’re saying they don’t know, and they do say that he does have a gun on him,” said Ablett.

“All they’re saying about the weapon is that it’s a long gun. So they’re not saying what kind that it might be, just that it’s not a shotgun.”

Ablett said that police presence at the scene was very high, with both Timmins Police and OPP on scene, and that some of the officers were armed with rifles.

Police are asking residents to stay away from the building.

*With files from James Armstrong and The Canadian Press